9th Opportunity :: Action/Video

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[Meyer doesn't always take a day off work. In fact, this is his first day off since the casino opened. That's why, on this lovely afternoon, he's wandering a little aimlessly now, cigarette in hand, looking for something to pass the time that isn't work.

For awhile, he wanders around the area by the fountain, occasionally stopping to sit down and write something down in a tiny spiral bound notebook, then standing up and wandering again. After awhile, though, he seems to get bored, and turns on the video to ask a question -- or rather, make a proposition.]

I'm going for drinks. Does anyone want to come?

[It may be a bit early in the day for drinking, but it's his day off -- this is what people do on their days off, right? With that question posed to the entire City, he strolls off in search of a bar that has relatively inexpensive and plentiful alcohol.]

Comments

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[A pause as their drinks arrive and he tries to process this.]

Sure. Okay. Like taking a day off from work.

[spotlighted]

Right, exactly like that.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

In that case, there's probably a lot I could learn. I didn't stay in school too long.

[That's... an understatement.]

[spotlighted]

I stayed as long as they made me, but I wasn't much good at it.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I was good at it, but I thought it was a waste of time.

[spotlighted]

I wished I was good at it. I was homeschooled until I was 14, so my grandfather had complete control of what I learned. Then he threw me into one of the top boarding schools in Connecticut, and I found out pretty quickly that I really wasn't anywhere near the level of most of the other girls. I never really caught up.

She finds that she's pushing the olive round her glass and decides that lighting up a cigarette would be a better way to occupy her hands.]

I guess I've always kind of envied college types.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[He lights a cigarette, too, and realizes he's already almost done with this drink. Apparently, once he gets started, he can put away quite a bit of alcohol in a short amount of time.]

The way I see it, real world experience is a lot more useful than college. You can teach yourself the stuff you learn in college. College types have a harder time teaching themselves how to live in the real world.

[spotlighted]

Oh, I agree completely. I think I'd have liked the experience, though. It would have been a damn sight better escape than signing up to go off to a warzone, anyway.

[She drains the rest of her drink, immediately calling for another one without even thinking about it.]

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[At least she's keeping up with him on the drinking front. He decides to switch drinks, this time ordering a gin and tonic.]

Sure, if it's an escape you're looking for, anything'd probably be better than a warzone.

[spotlighted]

[She nods agreement, trying not to give to much thought to it. She'd feel terrible unloading her baggage about that time onto him on his one and only day off.]

Still, I got the real world experience that way, at least.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

It's valuable experience, but that doesn't make it enjoyable experience.

[He practically knocks back half of his new drink in one gulp.]

[spotlighted]

Some parts weren't that bad - some were even good. Some feel nostalgic in hindsight, even if they were bad. And then some of it was just plain terrible. But I suppose I wouldn't be who I am without it.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Sure. That doesn't stop us from wishing we could change the past, sometimes.

[spotlighted]

Do you? [She finishes off her drink and instead of getting another cocktail, orders a glass of red wine, instructing the waiter to leave the bottle.] Wish you could change the past, I mean?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[Oh, good, accessible alcohol on the table. This can't possibly end in drunkenness.]

Aspects of it, maybe.

[spotlighted]

Such as? [She pours them both a generous helping of the wine.]

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I would have come to the US sooner -- that, of course, wasn't ever my choice, so I couldn't've changed it.

[He tries to think of something sufficient to say as he takes a sip of the wine.]

I would have maybe placed my trust in more trustworthy people.

[spotlighted]

Yeah, that one was beyond your control, don't let yourself regret it.

Someone screwed you over, huh?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Several people. It's the nature of the job.

[spotlighted]

Did you at least get even with them?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Some of them. For some of them, it will require...

[He shrugs.]

A more long term solution.

[spotlighted]

[She nods silently, having some idea of what he means by that, even if she's not too comfortable about it.]

Anyone in particular I should avoid if they show up in the City? Or go and give a piece of my mind to?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[He shrugs, clearly not wanting to give out names, and taking another sip of his drink.]

Nobody specifically, but I'd be wary of anyone who says they're from New York in 1923.

[spotlighted]

I'll keep a lookout.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I don't think they'll show up here. It's unlikely, at least.

[Did he really finish that glass of wine so fast? Apparently he's drinking faster than he thought he was. He reaches for the bottle to pour himself another, topping off her glass as he does.]